Content about Oral hygiene

The expansive oral care market continues to swell as manufacturers further develop toothpastes that promise to provide specific results.

According to SymphonyIRI Group, toothpaste sales for the 52 weeks ended Aug. 7 at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart) rose nearly 5% to $1.35 billion. Those toothpastes that experienced the greatest growth were those that touted such benefits as whitening and easing tooth sensitivity.

CHICAGO — Oral care company Sunstar Americas has inked a licensing agreement with film and entertainment company Lucasfilm to launch a new line of manual and power toothbrushes featuring iconic characters and lightsabers from the “Star Wars” film saga and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” television series.

NEW YORK — In an effort to bring faster relief to the millions of consumers who suffer from tooth sensitivity, Colgate-Palmolive has developed the new Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief toothpaste.

NEW YORK — Colgate-Palmolive reported on Thursday a 9.5% increase in worldwide net sales as North America net sales slipped 3% during the second quarter.

Worldwide net sales totaled $4.2 billion in the second quarter, an increase of 9.5%, versus second quarter 2010. Organic sales (net sales excluding foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestments) grew 3.5%.

Net income rose 3% to $622 million and diluted earnings per share increased 8% to $1.26. Net income and diluted earnings per share in second quarter 2010 were $603 million and $1.17, respectively.

Named “Best Whitening Toothpaste” by Real Simple magazine and highlighted at NACDS Marketplace is Luster White 7 toothpaste by Luster Premium White. Developed by a research scientist, medical doctor and dentist, White 7 contains a proprietary blend of eubiotics — therapeutic-grade essential oils that are designed to help promote a healthy smile along with fresh breath. Its active dental peroxide formula aims to deliver maximum whitening results by removing both surface and intrinsic stains. It is available in Power White and Sensitive formulas.

NEW YORK — Colgate-Palmolive has completed its acquisition of a personal care brand from Unilever for about $952 million.

Colgate-Palmolive said its acquisition of Sanex, a premium-priced personal care brand with a distinct positioning around healthy skin and strong market share positions in Europe, will enhance the company's positions in the shower gel and deodorant categories in the region.

The company's agreement to purchase Sanex from Unilever was announced in March.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Dr. Fresh, a maker of personal care products, perhaps best known for its FireFly flashing toothbrush for children, has announced that a Wilmington dentist has won recognition for making pediatric dental services available to uninsured, needy local families.

Brendan Fay was recognized in a national contest sponsored by FireFly toothbrush, which is part of the company's ongoing Crusade Against Cavities initiative.

KENNEBUNK, Maine — Tom's of Maine has announced the launch of its new natural Simply White fluoride toothpaste, which contains no bleaching agents or artificial flavors.

Simply White has earned the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, a first for any natural whitening toothpaste, according to the manufacturer.

Simply White toothpaste combines three naturally sourced silicas that combine to remove surface stains. Simply White, like all Tom's of Maine products, has no artificial preservatives, animal ingredients or animal testing.

REDFORD, Mich. —­­ Oral care company AloeSense has hired advertising agency Western Creative to design a new website to promote its AloeSense products, including toothpaste, dental floss, lip balm and extra-sensitive toothbrushes.

NEW YORK — Colgate-Palmolive announced on Thursday that worldwide net sales rose 4.5% during the first quarter as net income and diluted earnings per share totaled $576 million and $1.16, respectively.

Worldwide net sales totaled about $4 billion during the first quarter, an increase of 4.5% compared with the year-ago period. Organic sales grew 1.5%.

NEW YORK — Colgate-Palmolive is bolstering its foothold in the European personal care market by acquiring from Unilever the Sanex personal care brand for about $940 million.

Sanex is a multicategory personal care brand with 2010 net sales of about $260 million, primarily in western Europe. Liquid body cleansing and deodorants each represent nearly 50% of the business.

The deal is structured as an all-cash acquisition for shares and net assets. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter this year.

CINNCINNATI — Procter & Gamble officially announced the launch of its new Crest 3D White 2-hour Express Whitestrips and Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid Enamel Renewal toothpaste, which are the latest additions to the Crest 3D White collection.

To promote the launch, Crest 3D has teamed up with actress Amanda Peet. Crest also is donating up to 50 smile surgeries to Operation Smile, an international children's medical charity.